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City prepares for 41st Red Cedar Jubilee

WILLIAMSTON — As winter warms into spring, Williamston ends its hibernation to plan for the 41st Annual Red Cedar Jubilee during the first week of summer.

The weeklong festival will start June 18 in downtown Williamston. It has lawn mower races, an enduro derby and Lions-sponsored beer and food tents.

The city’s Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary clubs host the jubilee. All the money earned at the event goes back to the city, said Sandy Bowden-Whelton, president of the Red Cedar Jubilee Committee.

Whelton said the week features a different event every night.

The jubilee will start Monday night with a Citizen of the Year dinner. Tuesday will have a senior citizen dinner. Wednesday, the beer tent opens and kids dress up and build floats for the children’s parade.

“The beer tent is a big thing,” said Whelton. “It lets everyone get together and chit-chat after a long winter.”

Whelton said that the enduro derby, an obstacle course for cars, is on Friday. The 6th Annual Jubilee Craft Show and 4th Annual Home-Based Business Showcase also open Friday and last until Saturday afternoon.

Barbara Burke, executive director of Williamston’s Chamber of Commerce, said that there are two areas for the craft show stands and home-owned business stands.

Home-owned businesses include Avon and Tupperware, said Burke.

Spaces for exhibition are sold in 11-by-11-foot squares for $45 for non-chamber members.

Vendors must apply to the Chamber of Commerce by April 20. For the craft show spot, products cannot be commercially manufactured and the chamber has to see pictures of the products before approval.

Burke said venders must stay open for the entire two-day showcase.

Many businesses near the jubilee also set up stands outside of their business doors to lure in tourists. There is no cost and no permit needed to participate if it is in front of one’s property.